Omega - The Geneva Watch Auction: XV Geneva Saturday, May 7, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Omega
    Year: 1976
    Reference No: ST 145.022
    Movement No: 39.180.975
    Case No: 076
    Model Name: Speedmaster "Apollo Soyuz"
    Material: Stainless Steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 861, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Omega bracelet, end links stamped 633, max length 205mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Omega Deployant clasp stamped "1168"
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Omega Extract from the Archives confirming production in April 12, 1976, and delivered to Italy and presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The historic Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) took place on July 15, 1975, marking the first crewed international space mission carried out cooperatively by the United States and the Soviet Union. The mission ended two days later, on July 17th, with the American Apollo successfully docking with a Soviet Union Soyouz spacecraft. Not only was this a significant and memorable milestone for space reconnaissance, but it was also widely seen as the end of the "Space Race," which began in 1957 with the launch of Sputnik 1.

    A year later, Omega marked the first worldwide crewed space mission with a limited edition of 500 special Speedmasters based on the classic Speedmaster Professional reference 145.022 with caliber 861 movement, such as the current watch. The dial of this limited edition series features a mission logo at 12 o'clock, as well as lengthy hour markers and no Speedmaster Professional markings. The chronograph pushers on the Apollo-Soyouz have a little wider diameter of 5.5mm rather than the customary 5mm, which makes the casing significantly different from the standard version. As a result, the case band has to be changed as well. As demonstrated by the flanked ringed "I" on the caseback, the special Apollo-Soyuz watches were all created for the Italian market. The limited series of Speedmaster utilizes a cal.861 and have case numbers ranging between 39.180.xx and 39.181.xx.

    Instantly recognizable among collectors, the Apollo-Soyuz Speedmaster is the second limited edition ever released by Omega. Preserved in great overall condition, the present lot is a remarkable opportunity for the collector of historical important and rare vintage pieces.

  • Artist Biography

    Omega

    Swiss • 1848

    Omega's rich history begins with its founder, Louis Brandt, who established the firm in 1848 in La Chaux de Fonds. In 1903, the company changed its name to Omega, becoming the only watch brand in history to have been named after one its own movements. A full-fledged manufacturer of highly accurate, affordable and reliable watches, its sterling reputation enabled them to be chosen as the first watch company to time the Olympic Games beginning in 1932. Its continued focus on precision and reliability ultimately led their Speedmaster chronograph wristwatch to be chosen by NASA in 1965 — the first watch worn on the moon.

    Key models sought-after by collectors include their first, oversized water-resistant chronograph — the reference 2077, early Speedmaster models such as the CK 2915 and 2998, military-issued versions of the Seamaster and oversized chronometer models such as those fitted with their prestigious caliber 30T2Rg.

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169

Ref. ST 145.022
A fine and highly rare stainless steel limited edition chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, made to commemorate the first joint crewed international space mission and released for the Italian market

1976
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF12,000 - 20,000 
€11,800-19,600
$12,700-21,200

Sold for CHF113,400

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XV

Geneva Auction 7 - 8 May 2022